asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs for how long there has been a ban on British journalists visiting the Southern Sudan; and when it will be lifted.

All movement into the Southern Sudan was controlled under Emergency legislation after the mutiny of 18th August. Three British journalists have visited the Southern Sudan in recent weeks.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the number of British members of the Sudan Civil Service who have either voluntarily or compulsorily had their services terminated due to the transfer of power; and how many of these persons have now been found alternative employment.

According to the latest available information, the Sudan Government have terminated the services of 307 British officials. A further 346 have resigned of their own accord. In addition, 388 officials have left the Sudan since 11th February, 1952, on normal retirement. Altogether, 830 officials have found fresh employment. Of these, 692 have used the services of the Bureau set up for the purpose.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will now make a further statement about the recent disturbances in the Southern Sudan and the trials arising out of them.

The Commission set up by the Sudan Government to inquire into the causes of the disturbances has not yet completed its report. I am not, therefore, in a position to make a detailed statement. Meanwhile, according to my latest information, the restoration of normal conditions in Equatoria Province is continuing.2. Trials are proceeding in civil courts of persons accused of crimes committed at the time of the mutiny, when over 450 Northerners were killed. Military courts-martial are being held to try mutineers.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will recommend the exercise of the prerogative of mercy in remitting the order for costs of 287s. each payable to the Crown ordered to be paid by the Supreme Court of Kenya in the case of two African boys, aged approximately 14 and 18 years, respectively, after they had won their appeal against fines of 250s. each or three months' imprisonment in default, imposed by the magistrate at Eldoret in criminal case No. 2739/54 on charges of trespassing, particularly in view of the fact that they served six weeks in prison before being granted bail.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will recommend that compensation be paid by the Crown to an African boy of an age too young to be imprisoned who was flogged with twelve strokes after he and two older boys had been found guilty of trespassing at the court of Eldoret, Kenya, in criminal case No. 2739/54, in view of the fact that the older boys won their appeal to the Supreme Court against their sentences of imprisonment.

The Supreme Court did not order any payment of costs to the Crown and the question of remission does not, therefore, arise. The youngest boy was not sentenced to be flogged but to twelve strokes with a light cane.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is aware that the housing being built for Africans at Nakuru, Kenya, this year, includes 500 rooms for 1,500 single men, and 22 two-roomed houses; and whether he will advise the Kenya Government that the proportion of family houses for African workers should be increased.

No. The Nakuru African housing scheme during the current financial year is to complete 272 single rooms, each capable of housing three single men, and 22 two-roomed houses. The single rooms can easily be-converted into two-room family dwellings if required, and a scheme for a further 92 family dwellings is under consideration. The provision of family accommodation is therefore not being neglected.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies which States in the Federation of Malaya do not levy a local education rate; and for what reason.

The States of Johore, Kelantan and Perlis, do not levy a local education rate. I understand that in Johore and Perlis the reason has been the administrative difficulty involved, while in Kelantan it has been held that the standard of educational facilities provided did not justify a rate. Consideration is being given in Johore and Kelantan to the introduction of an education rate.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what success attended the amnesty offer in the Federation of Malaya; and what is the present position in respect of the emergency.

There has so far been no increase in the surrender rate as a result of the declaration of amnesty. In a few places the terrorists took advantage of the amnesty arrangements by mounting raids and ambushes from "safe areas" established as part of these arrangements. In consequence, the Security Forces have now resumed offensive action throughout the Federation.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware of the protests in Ashanti against the proposed amendment of State Councils Ordinance, 1952 (Ashanti); why he approved such reduction of the powers of the Asanteman Council; how far the right of appeal to the judiciary will be preserved; and if he will make a statement.

The proposed amendment to the State Councils Ordinance, 1952 (Ashanti) which gave rise to protests in Ashanti was further amended during its passage through the Gold Coast Legislative Assembly and now gives lesser Chiefs the same right of appeal as have paramount Chiefs to the Governor acting in his discretion. The determination of these matters rests with the Gold Coast Government, which has declared its intention of introducing at a later stage legislation to get up an independent Local Constitutional Commission to which appeals could be addressed. The Ordinance has not yet been transmitted to me for the signification of Her Majesty's Pleasure. There is no question of preserving rights of judicial appeal for which the existing legislation does not provide.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement on the progress made during the last ten years in the Gold Coast fishing industry, indicating in particular the increases in the numbers of motor fishing vessels and their crews; in their tonnages; in the numbers of vessels engaged on development and demonstration schemes, with their tonnages; in the numbers of vessels engaged in deep-sea, inshore trawling and up-river fishing; and in the numbers and teams of African instructors in each of these phases of the Gold Coast fishing industry.

These are, of course, matters for the Gold Coast Government. I am consulting the Governor and will inform the hon. and learned Member when I hear from him.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will specify the numbers and kinds of industrial enterprises in the Gold Coast which, during each of the last ten years, have been assisted by the Statutory Industrial Development Corporation, indicating the nature and extent of the progress of each such enterprise since such assistance was given up to the latest convenient date.

These are, of course, matters for the Gold Coast Government. I am consulting the Governor and will inform the hon. and learned Member when I hear from him.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will state the progress in the Gold Coast of the Co-operative Wholesale Establishment since its initiation up to the latest convenient date and of the organisation of consumer co-operation at the wholesale and retail level.

The difficulties in the way of consumer co-operation remain as described in my reply to the hon. Member for Bristol, North-East (Mr. Coldrick) on 29th June. I understand that the report on the investigation into the affairs of the Co-operative Wholesale Establishment, which was to be made available for public inspection in the Gold Coast on the 1st December, discloses a history of irregularities, inefficiency and misguided trading policies. I also understand that civil and criminal proceedings have been taken against certain persons.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies when he hopes to announce the results of his final talks with the Governor of Mauritius regarding future constitutional advance for this Colony.

I have not yet completed my consultations with the Governor. I shall, of course, make a statement as soon as I can, but I doubt whether I shall be able to do so before the Recess.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will give the total votes cast at the General Elections in Mauritius in 1953, for the Labour, Independent Labour, Ralliement, and Independent Ralliement candidates, respectively.

I would refer the hon. Member to the figures contained in my reply of 16th November to the hon. Member for Essex, South-East (Mr. Braine). It is impossible to give any accurate analysis of the votes cast for the Independent candidates as supporters of either the Mauritius Labour Party or the Ralliement since such candidates contested seats with both these parties.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies, with respect to the Gibraltar Port Development Scheme, what provisions have been made for adequate bunkering and fresh water supplies for shipping.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what progress has been made in the Port Development Scheme for Gibraltar.

I have now received the recommendations of the Governor of Gibraltar on the Port Development Scheme the main feature of which is the construction of a deep water berth. The plans involve the use of Admiralty installations and private works to ensure adequate bunkering facilities. There is also a proposal to construct a new water catchment area and storage space. The scheme is being considered with the other Departments concerned, and I will, if possible, make a further statement about it before the Christmas Recess.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has now received the report of Professor Jack on his investigation into wages paid in Gibraltar; and what action he proposes to take.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement in respect of the report of Professor Jack, following his investigation into the wages problem of Gibraltar.

The official employers in Gibraltar have decided to implement Professor Jack's proposal that there should be an increase of 17s. in the total weekly pay of all their unskilled industrial employees, with proportional increases for females and juveniles. The increase is effective from 1st November, and at the same time the rates for skilled and semi-skilled locally-entered industrial workers are being increased by amounts ranging from 18s. to 22s. a week.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what progress has been made in the consideration given to asisting Gibraltar in its economic problems; and what arrangements are contemplated in financing such assistance.

Developments include progress with housing, the introduction of social insurance schemes and measures to promote tourism. The port development plan is about to come out of the blue-print stage. A report has recently been made about the wage rates of unskilled workers. As regards finance, Gibraltar has received an allocation of £500,000 under the Colonial Development and Welfare Act of 1955, and the hon. Member will recall that I gave an assurance that Her Majesty's Government had no intention of allowing future essential development to suffer through no fault of the Colony.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what progress has been made in dealing with the housing shortage in Gibraltar.

Since 1945 the Gibraltar Government have constructed over 800 permanent, 550 temporary dwellings at a cost of more than £3 million. The first 48 of the 328 new flats to be built during the next five years are nearing completion. The current building programme should meet the most urgent needs of the Colony.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many Africans and Europeans have been injured and/or killed in industrial accidents in Northern Rhodesia during the last twelve months; and what compensation is provided in respect of such injuries or deaths in the case of Africans and Europeans, respectively.

During the year ended the 28th February, 1955 (the latest figures available) 91 Africans and 9 non-Africans received fatal injuries. 3,874 Africans and 1,416 non-Africans were injured. Compensation for death or injury is provided under the Workmen's Compensation Ordinance of Northern Rhodesia, a copy of which is being sent to the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps are being taken in Northern Rhodesia to in- troduce Africans to the administrative services and to give them the facilities of education and experience for administrative posts; how many Africans have been trained or are suitable; and what positions they occupy.

Only three Africans have applied for appointment as cadets in the Administrative Service, and none of them reached the required standard of academic qualifications. They are now employed on administrative duties in other Departments. In addition, there are ten Africans working as Administrative Assistants in the Districts and one in the Secretariat, and a small number are doing work of an administrative nature in the Departments of Education, Agriculture and Information. The Northern Rhodesian Government are now proposing to create certain new grades of post requiring higher qualifications than those at present required for the senior posts in the African Civil Service. Africans in these posts will be able to acquire experience which, if they have the necessary qualities of character, may make them eligible for further promotion in due course.On the educational side, the Northern Rhodesian Government provide bursaries for Africans to receive higher education abroad: there are thirty-six of these at present. It is also concerned to ensure that the greatest possible number of Africans from Northern Rhodesia will gain admission to the newly established University College of Rhodesia and Nyasaland. There are also special courses for Africans in government service.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is yet in a position to state the action he proposes to take with regard to the reform of the Naval Discipline Act.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by my right hon. Friend to him and to the hon. Member for Newcastle-under-Lyme (Mr. Swingler) on 15th June, 1955.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many married quarters have been provided at Culdrose Airfield, Cornwall; and where they are sited.

Forty-two for officers and one hundred and two for ratings. One officer's quarter is sited on the air station; all the other quarters are on a housing estate which adjoins the station and is three-quarters of a mile from the centre of Helston.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many married quarters were provided at St. Merryn Airfield, Cornwall; where they are sited; and what use is being made of them now that the airfield has been abandoned.

Thirty-two for officers and seventy-eight for ratings. Five of the officers' quarters are sited on the air station; the remainder are on the outskirts of Padstow. Some of the quarters are still occupied by naval personnel serving at St. Merryn and others by naval personnel stationed at the Royal Air Force station, St. Mawgan. Surplus quarters are at present being allocated to the families of naval personnel who are serving elsewhere and to Royal Air Force personnel from the Royal Air Force station at St. Eval.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how much money has been spent by his Department on helicopter development annually since 1945.

None. All Government expenditure on aircraft research and development, including helicopters, for the Service Departments, is met by the Ministry of Supply.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if his attention has been drawn to the facts revealed at a recent courts-martial at Chatham about food and conditions aboard the Fishery Protection vessel H.M.S. "Truelove"; if he is aware that she is not a happy ship; and if he will make a statement.

As the proceedings of the recent courts-martial have not yet been reviewed at the Admiralty, it would not be proper for me to comment at this stage. I will write to my hon. Friend when the normal process of review is complete.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what ships he proposes to dispose of shortly; and what others will be taking their place.

A cruiser, a destroyer, nine frigates and two ocean minesweepers will be scrapped shortly. My right hon. Friend's explanatory statement on the Navy Estimates, 1955–56, contains a list of ships under construction on 31st March this year, which includes three cruisers, twenty-six frigates and a large number of coastal and inshore minesweepers.

asked the Postmaster-General how many persons in the borough of Wimbledon who have applied for telephones in their business premises and private houses, respectively, are still waiting for telephones, and what further delay he anticipates.

One hundred and sixty-six and 583, respectively. Telephones are already in course of being provided for about a third of them, and many of the remainder will be given service next year as more equipment and cables become available.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will consider setting up a system whereby members of the public can get into touch at once with a doctor in the event of emergency by such a method as dialling DOC or some such easy code.

Some such system would be practicable if the doctors in the area arranged a central point to which calls could be made. If this were done the Post Office would of course co-operate, though a number of technical problems would have to be resolved.

asked the Postmaster-General what steps will be taken by the British Broadcasting Corporation to send out a stronger signal so that viewers in Huntingdonshire may have better reception than they at present get.

This is not just a question of a stronger signal. The B.B.C. are engaged on a plan of television development which should substantially be completed by the end of 1956 and which may affect the position in Huntingdonshire. Until this plan is complete further transmitter requirements cannot be determined.

asked the Postmaster-General the weight of paper used by the Post Office, during the last 12 months for which figures are available, for telephone directories and other purposes, respectively; and what is the estimated quantity which will be required for each respective purpose during the next 12 months.

For the financial year ended 31st March, 1955, the figures were 7,484 tons for telephone directories and 6,630 tons for other purposes. For the current year they are expected to be slightly over 8,000 and about 6,750 tons, respectively. The figures for other purposes include stamps, postal orders, licences and other items issued to the public.

asked the Postmaster-General how many queries, made by bookmakers, of Her Majesty's Post Office as to winning commission letters have been dealt with in the period November, 1954–55; and how many instances of fraudulent dealing have been discovered as a result.

A central record of all inquiries of this kind is not kept. In the period mentioned, 45 instances of fraudulent dealing were discovered as a result of such inquiries.

asked the Postmaster-General the total annual value of money orders and postal orders purchased through United Kingdom post offices and remitted to the Irish Republic during the past three years.

The value of United Kingdom Money Orders and Postal Orders paid in the Irish Republic in each of the past three financial years has been just over £4,900,000. If my hon. Friend requires information in greater detail, I should be glad to send it to him.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will inquire into the complaints sent to him of parcels posted to troops in Cyprus taking over seven weeks to be delivered; and what steps he is taking to expedite delivery of such parcels.

I am looking into the complaints and will write to my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air to state the reasons for the refusal to re-equip Transport Command with a limited number of Vickers V-1000 aircraft.

I cannot add to the answer given to my hon. Friend on 28th November by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Supply.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air how much money has been spent by his Department on helicopter development annually since 1945.

Expenditure on the development of helicopters for the Royal Air Force, as for the other Services, is borne by the Ministry of Supply.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether he has now received the report from the independent panel of experts charged with examining the Forth River crossing; and whether he will make a statement.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave on 26th October to Questions by the hon. and gallant Member for Berwick and East Lothian (Major Anstruther-Gray) and the hon. Member for Edinburgh, West (Sir I. Clark Hutchison) to which I have at present nothing to add.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he is yet in a position to announce a date for the start of a new Blackwall Tunnel.

No.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether he has yet approved the proposal for the reconstruction of Bencoolen Bridge at Bude; when the work will begin; and by what date the recurrent danger to the neighbouring houses by flooding will have been relieved.

I have promised the county council a grant and this will be made as soon as their scheme, full details of which have only recently been received, has been examined and agreed. Work on the bridge should start early next year and take about twelve months to complete. I understand that the Cornwall River Board has other works of flood prevention in hand at this point.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation to give details as to the exact form of road improvement being carried out in Roehampton Vale; when the work was started; what at that time was the estimated period for completion; when is it now estimated that the work will be completed; what is the reason for the difference in the two periods; and what is the daily traffic using this road.

The improvement involves widening Roehampton Vale from its junction with Stag Lane eastwards for about 240 yards to provide a 45 ft. wide carriageway in an overall width of 80 ft., including the improvement of the vertical alignment and the provision of central refuges for pedestrians.Work is being undertaken by the L.C.C. which has put it out to contract. It started on 4th April, 1955, the estimated period for completion then being nine months. The carriageway work will be completed by the end of December and the whole scheme by the end of January, 1956.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation when it is hoped to commence work on the widening of the Newbury Park Bridge.

In January, 1956.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he will introduce amending legislation to increase the maximum fine payable for overloading ships above the load-line marks in order to prevent a profit being made in this way at the expense of safety of life at sea.

I will bear the hon. Member's suggestion in mind.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what progress has been made since his meeting of 21st July on negotiations for a new apportionment of dock charges in South Wales between shipowners and cargo interests.

It was agreed at the meeting of 21st July that this complex subject should be further examined by technical experts of the British Transport Commission, the British Liner Committee and the Industrial Association for Wales and Monmouthshire. These are the interests primarily concerned, and I understand that their examination, which is proceeding, is likely to take some time.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what requests have been made to the Soviet Government for British civil aircraft to operate to Moscow.

No requests have been made for the operation of scheduled services to Moscow because, as I stated in reply to the hon. Member for Govan (Mr. Rankin) on 23rd November, the Soviet authorities have informed us that they are not yet able to contemplate the operation of such services. Four applications have been made since 1947 for non-scheduled flights.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation how much money has been spent by his Department on helicopter development annually since 1945.

The development of helicopters, as of other aircraft, is, of course, a matter primarily for my right hon. Friend the Minister of Supply. My Department has, however, been able to assist in the gaining of experience in the problem of helicopter operation for civil purposes by contributions to the cost of the B.E.A. Helicopter Experimental Unit amounting in all to £620,075.Below is a table showing the sums contributed annually since 1947–48.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether he will take power to impose a legal liability upon the Transport Commission to keep up and prevent the erosion of the banks of navigable rivers in England and Wales.

No.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation when he proposes to reply to the letter, dated 31st October, from the hon. Member for Swindon concerning persons driving motor vehicles while under the influence of drink.

I wrote to the hon. Member on 2nd December.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he will give a general direction to the British Transport Commission that valuable saleable property, presently used as stations, offices, etc., situated in the heart of large cities, be disposed of and the money invested partly in rebuilding stations in more convenient areas outside the city and partly used for carrying out other work, with a view to reducing the cost of running the railways.

No.

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation how much of the £1,200 million in his scheme of modernisation of the railways will have been expended by the end of 1956.

I assume the hon. Member is referring to the £1,200 million modernisation and re-equipment plan of the British Transport Commission. The information for which he asks is, I regret, not available.

asked the Minister of Defence what instructions are given to commanding officers in each of the Services about communicating to next-of-kin news of the sudden death in action, or otherwise, of Service men.

In peace-time, the death of Naval personnel is notified direct

asked the Minister of Defence how many married quarters for Service personnel are available in Gibraltar; and how many applications for married quarters remain unsatisfied.

Details are as follows:

asked the Minister of Defence how many hydrogen and atom-bomb explosions have taken place since 1945; by what Powers these bombs have been exploded; and if he will publish a White Paper giving details.

A total of 67 explosions, of which four were specifically stated to be hydrogen, thermonuclear or in the megaton range, has been announced. Of these, 55 were carried out by the United States, nine by the U.S.S.R. and three by the United Kingdom. Other series of tests have also been announced, but the number of individual explosions has not been stated.

asked the Secretary of State for War what progress has been made in the proposals for the transfer of Government property in Gibraltar to civilian housing purposes.

This is taking place as quickly as alternative arrangements for accommodating the Army can be made. A military town plan has now been approved and the preparatory stages of building are in hand. Meanwhile, some sites have already been released and more will be given up next year.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the appointment of an Inspector of Prisons and Commandant of the Military Provost Staff Corps has now been authorised separately from the appointment of Provost Marshal.

We have given much thought to my hon. Friend's suggestion and have come to the conclusion that the Provost Marshal can efficiently combine his duties with those of Inspector of Prisons.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the consumption of liquid milk in Scotland in each of the last eight years.

Following is the information:

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland to state the aggregate installed capacity, kw. I., of the power establishments of the North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board at 30th November, 1955; how much kw. I. of this aggregate represented water-power facilities; how much kw. I. oil-power facilities; and how much kw. I. coal-fired stations.

I am informed by the Board that the installed capacity of their generating plant at 30th November, 1955, was as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland, in consideration of expenditure of £117,300,000 on capital account by the North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board, to end October, 1955, and a further £62,350,000 committed in respect of unfinished projects, and £2,155,000 for sanctioned schemes not yet commenced, a total of £181,805,000, and the fact that schemes under construction will ultimately cost greatly more than the sanctioned sums, whether he will consider introducing legislation to deal with the statutory borrowing limit of £200 million imposed on the Board; and whether he will now make a statement as to future Government policy.

There is no immediate need to increase the borrowing limit of £200 million.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps have been taken to establish potential water-power resources in the area of Loch Awe and the Pass of Brander; and what would be the cost of harnessing them, and the installed capacity of power that might be expected.

I am informed by the North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board that it has made surveys in the Loch Awe area for both a conventional hydroelectric project with an installed capacity of about 75,000 kilowatts, and a pumped storage project with an installed capacity of about 350,000 kilowatts. The Board has not yet, however, submitted to me a constructional scheme giving estimates of the cost.

asked the Minister of Labour at what date since 1st January, 1955, the number of disabled persons employed in Remploy factories fell to its lowest level; and what was the number of such persons on that date.

8th November, 1955, when the number was 6,023.